United States Patent [19]
`Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Beckert et al. (cid:9)
`Beckert et al.
`
`11111111111111111111111111f1I1111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`US006009363A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[n] Patent Number: (cid:9)
`[45] Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,009,363
`6,009,363
`Dec. 28, 1999
`Dec. 28, 1999
`
`(cid:9) (cid:9)
`
`[54] VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH
`[54] VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH
`HIGH SPEED DATA BUFFER AND SERIAL
`HIGH SPEED DATA BUFFER AND SERIAL
`INTERCONNECT
`INTERCONNECT
`
`[75] Inventors: Richard D. Beckert, Lake Stevens;
`
`Inventors: Richard I)I Beckert, Lake Stevens; Mark M- Moeller Des Moines Ron
`Mark M. Moeller, Des Moines; Ron
`.’
`.
`,
`’
`Randall, Snohomish; William Wong,
`Randall, Snohomish; William Wong,
`Redmond, all of Wash.
`Redmond’ an of Wash‘
`[73] Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,
`[73] Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,
`Wash.
`Wash.
`
`_
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/668,781
`[21] Appl' NO" 08/668’781
`[22] Filed:
`Jun. 24, 1996
`Jun. 24, 1996
`[22] Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Related US. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/564,586, Nov.
`Continuation-in-part Of application NO. 08/564,586, NOV.
`29, 1995, Pat. No. 5,794,164.
`29’ 1995’ Pat‘ NO‘ 5’794’164'
`[51] Int. C1.6
` HO4B 1/03
`[51] Int. 0.6 ..................................................... .. H04B 1/03
`[52] US. Cl. ..................... .. 701/33; 370/522; 340/825.25;
`[52] U.S. Cl.
` 701/33; 370/522; 340/825.25;
`361/814; 455/345; 307/107
`361/814; 455/345; 307/10.7
`[58] Field of Search ................................ .. 701/29—33, 24,
` 701/29-33, 24,
`[58] Field of Search (cid:9)
`701/35; 36455101; 340/439, 426, 691,
`701/35; 364/551.01; 340/439, 426, 691,
`8255, 3101, 538, 82525, 81569; 361/686,
`825.5, 310.1, 538, 825.25, 815.69; 361/686,
`683, 680, 814, 679; 395/281, 290; 370/522,
`683, 680, 814, 679; 395/281, 290; 370/522,
`476, 537; 455/345, 346, 349, 348; 307/107,
`476, 537; 455/345, 346, 349, 348; 307/10.7,
`101
`10.1
`
`[56]
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U-S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4 068 175
`1/1978 Maniaci ................................ .. 455/345
`4,068,175 1/1978 Maniaci (cid:9)
` 455/345
`4,207,511 6/1980 Radtke (cid:9)
` 320/6
`412071511
`6/1980 Radtke _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
`_ _ _ _ _ _ __ 320/6
`4,365,280 12/1982 Crosetti et a1_
`360/137
`4,365,280 12/1982 Crosetti et al. (cid:9)
` 360/137
`4,477,764 10/1984 Pollard (cid:9)
` 320/62
`4,477,764 10/1984 Pollard . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`_ _ _ _ __ 320/62
`4,481,512 11/1984 Tscheulin et al. (cid:9)
` 340/825.25
`4,481,512 11/1984 Tscheulin et al. ............... .. 340/825.25
`4,497,038 (cid:9)
`1/1985 Diepold-Scharnitzky et al. .... 395/290
`4,497,038
`1/1985 Diep0ld—SCharnitZky et al
`395/290
`4,868,715 9/1989 Putman et al. (cid:9)
` 361/814
`4,868,715
`9/1989 Putman et al. ........................ .. 361/814
`4,895,326 1/1990 Nimpoeno et al. (cid:9)
` 248/27.1
`git?’gftg zlt a1‘
`"
`4,911,386 3/1990 Putman et al. (cid:9)
` 248/27.1
`5:060:229 10/1991 Tyrell et a1. ..
`370/522
`5,060,229 10/1991 Tyrell et al. (cid:9)
` 370/522
`5,104,071 4/1992 Kowalski (cid:9)
` 248/27.1
`5,104,071
`4/1992 Kowalski .... ..
`248/27.1
`5,143,343 9/1992 Katz (cid:9)
` 248/551
`5,143,343
`9/1992 KatZ ...................................... .. 248/551
`
`307/10.1
`
`3/1993 Dennis (cid:9)
`5,198,696
`3/1993 Dennis ................................. .. 307/10.1
`5,198,696
`5/1994 Dougherty et al. (cid:9)
`
`429/9
`5,316,868
`5/1994 Dougherty et a1
`....... .. 429/9
`5,316,868
`6/1995 Tal
`
`340/310.01
`5,424,709
`6/1995 Tal .................... ..
`340/31001
`5,424,709
`1/1996 Dougherty et al. (cid:9)
`
`320/15
`5,488,283
`1/1996 Dougherty et a1. ..................... .. 320/15
`5,488,283
`5,569,997 10/1996 Berger (cid:9)
`
`320/15
`5,610,376
`
`Berger ..................................... .. 3/1997 Takagi et al. .. 200/50.01
`
`5,610,376
`3/1997 Takagi et al. (cid:9)
`
`200/50.01
`5,641,953
`6/1997 Fisher, Jr. (cid:9)
`
`200/50.12
`5,641,953
`6/1997 Fisher, Jr. .......................... .. 200/50.12
`
`Primary Examiner—Jacques H. Louis-Jacques
`Primary Examiner—Jacques H. Louis-Jacques
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lee & Hayes, PLLC
`Attorney’ Agent’ Or Flrm—Lee & Hayes’ PLLC
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`ABSTRACT
`[57] (cid:9)
`
`A vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be
`A vehicle computer system has a housing sized to be
`mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other appropriate loca
`mounted in a vehicle dashboard or other appropriate loca-
`tion. The housing includes a base unit and a faceplate. A first
`tion. The housing includes a base unit and a faceplate. A?rst
`logic unit is mounted to the base unit to form a support
`logic unit is mounted to the base unit to form a support
`module. The support module has tWo interfacing slots and
`module. The support module has two interfacing slots and
`can support connections to multiple peripheral devices. The
`can support connections to multiple peripheral devices. The
`Support module facilitates
`Speed data exchange
`support module facilitates high speed data exchange
`betWeen the peripheral devices for streaming continuous
`between the peripheral devices for streaming continuous
`audio or video data. The support module has a fast data
`audio or video data- The support module has a fast data
`memory to temporarily hold data being communicated
`memory to temporarily hold data being Communicated
`between the peripheral devices. The support module also has
`betWeen the peripheral devices. The support module also has
`a memory access circuit associated with each of the periph-
`a memory access Circuit associated With each of the periph
`eral devices which designates at least one storage area
`eral devices Which designates at least one storage area
`within the fast data memory to hold data received from, or
`Within the fast data memory to hold data received from, or
`to be sent to, the associated peripheral device. The vehicle
`to be sent to, the associated peripheral device. The vehicle
`computer has a computer module which can be connected to
`computer has a computer module Which can be connected to
`or removed from one interfacing slot of the support module.
`or removed from one interfacing slot of the support module.
`A multi-bit bus (e.g., PCI bus) interfaces the computer
`A multi-bit bus (e.g., PCI bus) interfaces the computer
`module and the support module. The vehicle computer
`module and the support module. The vehicle computer
`system also has a logic unit mounted to the faceplate to form
`system also has a logic unit mounted to the faceplate to form
`a faceplate module. This module is detachably connected to
`a faceplate module. This module is detachably connected to
`the other interfacing slot of the support module. When the
`the ether thtertaethg Stet of the Support thedhte' when the
`faceplate module is attached, a high speed serial interface
`faceplate module is attached, a high speed serial interface
`electronically couples the support module to the faceplate
`electronically couples the support module to the faceplate
`module. The high speed serial interface enables the logic
`module. The high speed serial interface enables the logic
`units on the support and faceplate modules to exchange a
`units on the support and faceplate modules to exchange a
`high speed, synchronized, serial bit stream. This data stream
`high speed, synchronized, serial bit stream. This data stream
`is organized into multiple frames, with each frame having
`is Organized into multiple frames, With each frame having
`multiple data bits and at least one valid bit to indicate
`multiple data bits and at least one valid bit to indicate
`whether the data bits are valid.
`Whether the data blts are Vahd'
`
`31 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`31 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`60
`
`60
`
`62
`62
`
`100 (cid:9)
`700
`i (cid:9)
`
`\
`
`702
`i
`
`)
`
`96
`
`(
`
`. ,
`
`98
`
`64
`
`64
`
`138
`PC CARD //F
`
`740
`SMART CARD l/F
`
`COMPUTER MODULE
`
`52
`@g
`KEYPAD )
`702 (E)
`CODEC (cid:9)
`CGPS CHIPSE0( (cid:9)
`54
`96 (cid:9)
`98
`l
`a
`DISPLAY )
`'AUDIO SIGNAL (cid:9)
`AM/FM TUNER?
`PROCESSOR (cid:9)
`MODULE
`—, 9294 r
`56
`IRDA
`r
`VGA
`92
`94 @
`FACEPLATE
`CM `CONTROLLER
`VGA
`MODULE
`CONTROLLER
`FACEPLATE
`SUPPORT
`122
`MODULE
`SUPPORT
`“MODULE
`722 e
`MODULE
`CODEC )
`90
`120
`LOGIC
`, (cid:9) UNIT
`LOGIC
`(
`UNIT
`r 110
`r (cid:9)124
`I24
`FAST DATA
`RF TRANSCEIVER
`MEMORY
`(OPTIONAL)
`RF TRANSCEIVER
`(OPTIONAL)
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`MODULE
`
`56
`
`
`
`90
`
`FAST DA TA
`MEMORY
`
`68
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 1
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`waled °S11
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 1999
`
`28
`
`mm.
`
`26
`
`,oN
`
`24
`
`DIAGNOSTIC
`INTERFACE
`
`I
`
`30
`
`SECURITY
`SENSORS
`
`hEbumm
`
`mkQmémm.
`
`20 (cid:9)
`38
`NL. 40
`
`56
`
`52
`
`48
`
`54
`
`44
`
`46
`
`42
`
`36
`
`22
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`
`32
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`
`mdims (L
`
`Sheet 1 of9
`6 JO 1 lamIS
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`BATTERY
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`$56k?
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`ANTENNA(S)I 8
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`
`6,009,363
`
`cy
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 2
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`waled °S11
`
`6 JO Z lamIS
`
`r 64
`
`COMPUTER MODULE
`
`22
`
`28
`
`26
`
`OBD SYSTEM
`I/F
`
`SECURITY
`SYSTEM I/F
`
`e- (cid:9)
`
`74
`r,
`NAVIGATION
`SYSTEM l/F
`n—,.--- (cid:9)
`
`
`66
`
`....,.›.
`
`
`
`SUPPORT MODULE
`
`72
`
`0 7
`(cid:9)4Th
`
`.4 (cid:9)
`
`USB HUB
`
`76
`r
`INTERNET
`WIRELESS
`LINK
`
`68
`
`0 6
`
`(cid:9)AN
`
`FACEPLATE MODULE
`
`82
`r,
`, (cid:9)
`JOYSTICK,
`KEYBOARD,
`MOUSE
`
`80
`
`TV TUNER I/F
`
`2
`
`7 r,8
`
`
`
`CD—ROM
`CHANGER I/F
`n(cid:9)
`
`I
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 3
`
`

`
`waled °S11
`
`6 JO £ lamIS
`
`64
`
`62
`
`60
`
`138
`( PC CARD l/F
`
`140
`(SMART CARD l/F)
`
`COMPUTER MODULE
`
`134
`( DRAM)
`
`136
`( FLASH)
`
`132
`( DISK )
`
`66
`
`102
`100 (cid:9)
`( cos CHIPSET) ( CODEC )
`96
`98
`AM/FM TUNER,
`AUDIO SIGNAL
`PROCESSOR
`MODULE
`I
`94
`VGA
`CONTROLLER
`SUPPORT
`MODULE
`90
`r
`LOGIC
`UNIT
`
`,
`
`110
`FAST DATA
`MEMORY
`n(cid:9)
`
`
`n(cid:9)
`
`68
`
`52
`( KEYPAD )
`
`54
`( DISPLAY )
`
`56
`IRDA
`
`FACEPLATE
`MODULE
`122
`C CODEC
`
`120
`LOGIC
`UNIT
`124
`RF TRANSCEIVER
`(OPTIONAL)
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 4
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 1999
`Dec. 28, 1999 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 4 019
`Sheet 4 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`6,009,363
`6,009,363
`
`66
`66
`f
`r CLK
`PCI BUS ADD/DATA
`PC’ BUS
`ADD/DATA
`CNTL.
`CNTL \
`*'“—‘ \= =
`3
`32
`
`92 (cid:9)
`52
`92
`r
`U55’ //F f
`USB I/F
`
`4 • Ix
`
`
`D
`
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`
`90
`90
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`
`
`
`32
`5/2
`
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`32
`32
`I,
`
`32
`
`150
`‘
`
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`152
`152
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`154
`f 154
`D (cid:9)
`
`
`\
`
`7
`
`k
`
`94
`94
`
`VGA
`=
`VGA
`CONTROLLER =
`CONTROLLER
`
`1 r,62
`
`762
`
`SERIAL DEVICES
`SERIAL DEVICES
`WITH DMA
`WITH DMA
`
`
`
`I66
`
`SERIAL DEVICES
`SERIAL DEVICES (cid:9)
`WITHOUT DMA
`WITHOUT DMA
`
`1 r,66
`
`
`
`I
`
`170
`170
`
`/DE PORT ‘
`IDE PORT
`<
`\——--—J
`110
`
`[15
`16
`/
`
`FAST DATA
`FAST DATA
`MEMORY
`MEMORY
`
`.32
`32
`4 /
`/
`<
`
`20
`20
`
`9
`‘
`
`\
`
`PCI BUS
`P6‘! BUS
`, F
`VF
`
`k
`BUS ARBITER
`> BUS ARB/TER
`
`155
`156
`
`748
`148
`
`PING/PONG DMA
`[PING/PONG 014717
`
`/ CIRCUITS
`CIRCUITS
`A
`/
`A
`164
`'64
`
`V
`
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`_
`
`SERIAL VF
`SERIAL 1/;
`
`32
`[> 4 K
`/ (cid:9)•
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`32
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`168
`172
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`146 144
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`142
`
`32
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`G
`V
`V
`‘a / CTNL DATA
`CTNL DATA
`140 (cid:9)
`140
`ADD
`ADD J
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 5
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 1999
`Dec. 28, 1999 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 5 of9
`Sheet 5 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`6,009,363
`6,009,363
`
`r 202
`202 % ‘5
`SERIAL T0
`SERIAL TO
`PARALLEL
`PARALLEL
`
`CNTL ADD DA TA
`CNTL ADD DATA
`
`200
`200
`140 ---146
`740 \746
`\
`142
`142
`\\
`
`144
`144 \ /
`
`‘
`
`204
`, / 204
`HOLDING
`HOLDING
`REGISTER
`REGISTER
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`
`32
`32
`
`/ (cid:9)
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`
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`52
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`T
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`
`270
`X 210
`V
`<
`BUS REQ
`DMA REO & ———> BUS REO
`DMA REQ & (cid:9)
`
`BUS GRANT
`GNT CIRCUIT
`= BUS GRANT
`GNT CIRCUIT (cid:9)
`
`<
`____J
`
`206
`
`PING/PONG START ADDRESS<
`PING/PONG START ADDRESS (cid:9)
`
`D19 (cid:9)
`010
`D79 ..... ..D10
`=
`
`A19 (cid:9)
`A10
`A79 ..... ..A10
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`DMA GNT
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`LOAD ADDRESS (cid:9)
`
`LOAD (cid:9) (cid:9)
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`ADDRESS
`LOAD
`A9
`COUNTER
`COUNTER
`PlNG/PONG _ A9
`PING/PONG
`Al
`A9 (cid:9)
`A2
`A9 ..... ..A2
`BYTE SEL <A0,A1
`BYTE SEL AO
`
`212
`CONTROL (cid:9)
`212
`CONTROL
`REGISTER -/
`REGISTER
`RESET
`RESET
`
`
`
`
`
`x214
`214
`’——A
`COMPARITOR
`c0MPAR/T0R
`A_—J 276
`1
`( 216
`——-A
`L/M/T REGISTER <
`LIMIT REGISTER
`
`T
`
`CONTROL
`CONTROL
`REGISTERS &
`REGISTERS &
`STATUS
`STATUS
`4
`REGISTERS
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`
`I
`
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`
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`
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`
`:
`
`1°
`
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`
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`2
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`'32
`32
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`
`V
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 6
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 1999
`Dec. 28, 1999 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 6 of9
`Sheet 6 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`6,009,363
`6,009,363
`
`102
`702
`
`r 90
`
`: 90
`
`p
`
`(cid:9) (cid:9)
`
`(
`CODEC 14 (cid:9)
`
`w [25
`
`
`
`98
`98
`
`1
`I
`AM/FM TUNER
`MODULE
`
`X 78
`78
` PARALLEL BUS
`PARALLEL BUS
`j4
`
`CD—ROM
`
`r (cid:9) 96
`
`AUDIO SIGNAL) (cid:9) 4
`AUDIO SIGNAL
`PROCESSOR
`PROCESSOR
`
`4
`
`[
`
`I25
`12s
`
`LOGIC
`LOGIC
`UNIT
`UNIT
`
`IDE
`> I05
`
`SA
`5/‘
`
`I70
`
`(FAST DATA]
`MEMORY
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 7
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`waled °S11
`
`6 JO L 13311S
`
`O
`
`144
`
`220
`
`222
`
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`
`ON/OFF1 (cid:9)
`GATE
`
`
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`
`236
`
`DIVIDE
`BY 17
`
`MCLK
`
`FCLK
`FSYNC
`
`r 224
`DIVIDE BY N
`COUNTER
`
`220
`r ,
`DIVIDE BY 2
`COUNTER
`
`228
`
`DIVIDE BY 480
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`
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`DIVIDE BY N
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`
`102
`
`11.2 MHz
`
`CODEC
`
`232
`
`(cid:9) PLL
`
`
`
`44.1 MHz
`
`12C CLOCK
`
`BAUD RATES
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 8
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`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 9
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`

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`waled °S11
`U.S. Patent
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`
`COMPUTER
`MODULE
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`(cid:9)i
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`Dec. 28, 1999
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`Sheet 9 of9
`6 JO 6 lamIS
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`01
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`6,009,363
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`268
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`270 272
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`260
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`VEHICLE
`BATTERY
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`33
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`BACKUP
`BATTERY
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`258
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`POWER REGULATOR (cid:9)
`AND MANAGER
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 10
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`1
`1
`VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH
`VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH
`HIGH SPEED DATA BUFFER AND SERIAL
`HIGH SPEED DATA BUFFER AND SERIAL
`INTERCONNECT
`INTERCONNECT
`
`2
`2
`vendors and have it customarily installed. There is no way
`vendors and have it customarily installed. There is no Way
`to add security functionality to an existing electronics
`to add security functionality to an existing electronics
`system, such as the navigation system or the sound system.
`system, such as the navigation system or the sound system.
`
`6,009,363
`6,009,363
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser.
`This is a continuation-in-part of US. Pat. application Ser.
`No. 08/564,586, filed Nov. 29, 1995, which issued as U.S.
`No. 08/564,586, ?led Nov. 29, 1995, Which issued as US.
`Pat. No. 5,794,164, on Aug. 11, 1998.
`Pat. No. 5,794,164, on Aug. 11, 1998.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates to computer systems for vehicles.
`This invention relates to computer systems for vehicles.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Modern vehicles are typically equipped With several
`Modern vehicles are typically equipped with several
`independent electronic systems. For instance, most modern
`independent electronic systems. For instance, most modern
`vehicles have a sound system and a security system. The
`vehicles have a sound system and a security system. The
`sound system usually consists of an AM/FM radio, a cassette
`sound system usually consists of an AM/FM radio, a cassette
`or CD (compact disk) player, an equalizer/ampli?er, and
`or CD (compact disk) player, an equalizer/amplifier, and
`speakers. The radio and player are arranged in a metal casing
`speakers. The radio and player are arranged in a metal casing
`or housing that is mounted in a dashboard of the vehicle. The
`or housing that is mounted in a dashboard of the vehicle. The
`housing has a standardiZed siZe, often expressed in terms of
`housing has a standardized size, often expressed in terms of
`DINs (Deutsche Industry Normen), to ensure that the sound
`DINs (Deutsche Industry Normen), to ensure that the sound
`system is compatible with and can be retrofit into most
`system is compatible With and can be retro?t into most
`vehicle dashboards.
`vehicle dashboards.
`The security system is entirely separate from the sound
`The security system is entirely separate from the sound
`system. The security system generally consists of security
`system. The security system generally consists of security
`sensors placed throughout the vehicle, and a central
`sensors placed throughout the vehicle, and a central
`application-speci?c integrated circuit (ASIC) to monitor the
`application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to monitor the
`sensors and determine Whether security is being jeopardized.
`sensors and determine whether security is being jeopardized.
`Security System also controls actuators to lock/unlock doors
`Security System also controls actuators to lock/unlock doors
`or windows, and an alarm or siren.
`or WindoWs, and an alarm or siren.
`Most late model vehicles are also constructed with a
`Most late model vehicles are also constructed With a
`diagnostic system that analyZes performance of the vehicle’s
`diagnostic system that analyzes performance of the vehicle's
`engine, transmission and fuel system, and other components
`engine, transmission and fuel system, and other components
`(1996 or later for OBD II, 1993 or later for OBD I). The
`(1996 or later for OBD II, 1993 or later for OBD I). The
`diagnostic system can be coupled to an external computer to
`diagnostic system can be coupled to an external computer to
`download or monitor diagnostic information that is useful to
`doWnload or monitor diagnostic information that is useful to
`a vehicle mechanic during servicing of the vehicle.
`a vehicle mechanic during servicing of the vehicle.
`Additionally, the diagnostic system might include dashboard
`Additionally, the diagnostic system might include dashboard
`displays that inform the driver of various operating condi
`displays that inform the driver of various operating condi-
`tions.
`tions.
`In some recent models, vehicles are being equipped with
`In some recent models, vehicles are being equipped With
`a navigation system that incorporates a global positioning
`a navigation system that incorporates a global positioning
`system (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver has an antenna to
`system (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver has an antenna to
`receive signals from a satellite network. The vehicle navi-
`receive signals from a satellite netWork. The vehicle navi
`gation system uses the satellite positioning signals to com-
`gation system uses the satellite positioning signals to com
`pute coordinates that locate the vehicle over the surface of
`pute coordinates that locate the vehicle over the surface of
`the earth With regard to longitude, latitude, and altitude.
`the earth with regard to longitude, latitude, and altitude.
`Also, with the appropriate map software, the vehicle's
`Also, With the appropriate map softWare, the vehicle’s
`location can then be shown on a map.
`location can then be shoWn on a map.
`Cellular communications systems have also been added to
`Cellular communications systems have also been added to
`vehicles. These communications systems enable the vehicle
`vehicles. These communications systems enable the vehicle
`driver or occupant to transact telephone calls from their
`driver or occupant to transact telephone calls from their
`vehicle. Some of the more sophisticated systems are voice
`vehicle. Some of the more sophisticated systems are voice
`controlled which permit the driver to initiate or receive calls
`controlled Which permit the driver to initiate or receive calls
`While traveling Without removing a hand from the driving
`while traveling without removing a hand from the driving
`wheel, or diverting his/her eyes from the operation of the
`Wheel, or diverting his/her eyes from the operation of the
`vehicle.
`vehicle.
`While these various electronics systems have proven
`While these various electronics systems have proven
`useful to vehicle users, there is a drawback in that the
`useful to vehicle users, there is a draWback in that the
`systems are unrelated and incompatible. Each system
`systems are unrelated and incompatible. Each system
`employs separate proprietary dedicated processors or ASICs
`employs separate proprietary dedicated processors or ASICs
`(application speci?c integrated circuits) Which execute
`(application specific integrated circuits) which execute
`incompatible proprietary software. If a vehicle owner would
`incompatible proprietary softWare. If a vehicle oWner Would
`like to add a security system to his/her vehicle, the owner
`like to add a security system to his/her vehicle, the oWner
`must purchase an entire security system from one of the
`must purchase an entire security system from one of the
`
`5
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`30 (cid:9)
`
`35
`
`This invention concerns a vehicle computer system that is
`This invention concerns a vehicle computer system that is
`capable of integrating these diverse and separate systems as
`capable of integrating these diverse and separate systems as
`Well as offering a general purpose computing platform that
`well as offering a general purpose computing platform that
`alloWs for easy expandability. The vehicle computer system
`allows for easy expandability. The vehicle computer system
`10
`10 has a housing sized to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or
`has a housing siZed to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard or
`other convenient location. This system provides an open
`other convenient location. This system provides an open
`hardware architecture and supports an open platform oper-
`hardWare architecture and supports an open platform oper
`ating system. The open platform operating system supports
`ating system. The open platform operating system supports
`multiple different applications that can be supplied by a
`multiple different applications that can be supplied by a
`15
`15 software vendor. For instance, the operating system can
`softWare vendor. For instance, the operating system can
`support applications pertaining to entertainment, navigation,
`support applications pertaining to entertainment, navigation,
`communications, security, diagnostics, and others. In the
`communications, security, diagnostics, and others. In the
`preferred implementation, the operating system is a multi
`preferred implementation, the operating system is a multi-
`tasking operating system capable of concurrently running
`tasking operating system capable of concurrently running
`20 multiple applications. The computer has one or more storage
`multiple applications. The computer has one or more storage
`devices (e.g., hard disk drive, CD drive, ?oppy disk drive,
`devices (e.g., hard disk drive, CD drive, floppy disk drive,
`cassette player, or smart card reader) which permits the user
`cassette player, or smart card reader) Which permits the user
`to download programs from a storage medium (e.g., hard
`to doWnload programs from a storage medium (e.g., hard
`disk, CD, diskette, or cassette) to the computer. Also, the
`disk, CD, diskette, or cassette) to the computer. Also, the
`25 user can read or write data to writeable medium (e.g., hard
`user can read or Write data to Writeable medium (e.g., hard
`disk, diskette, cassette, or smart card). In this manner, the
`disk, diskette, cassette, or smart card). In this manner, the
`vehicle owner can easily add new systems to his/her vehicle
`vehicle oWner can easily add neW systems to his/her vehicle
`by installing additional programs.
`by installing additional programs.
`In the described implementation, the vehicle computer
`In the described implementation, the vehicle computer
`system has three modules: a support module, a computer
`system has three modules: a support module, a computer
`module, and faceplate module. The support module is
`module, and faceplate module. The support module is
`formed as part of a stationary base unit of the housing that
`formed as part of a stationary base unit of the housing that
`resides in the vehicle dashboard or other location. It has its
`resides in the vehicle dashboard or other location. It has its
`own logic unit which can be implemented in a field pro-
`oWn logic unit Which can be implemented in a ?eld pro
`grammable gate array (FPGA), application speci?c inte
`grammable gate array (FPGA), application specific inte-
`grated circuit (ASIC), customized processor, or the like. The
`grated circuit (ASIC), customiZed processor, or the like. The
`support module also has an audio signal processor, such as
`support module also has an audio signal processor, such as
`a digital signal processor (DSP), Which performs the signal
`a digital signal processor (DSP), which performs the signal
`processing for audio and video data. One could combine this
`processing for audio and video data. One could combine this
`DSP into the ASIC if desired.
`DSP into the ASIC if desired.
`The computer module can be connected to or removed
`The computer module can be connected to or removed
`from the support module. The computer module has a
`from the support module. The computer module has a
`processor, such as an x86-type microprocessor, which runs
`processor, such as an ><86-type microprocessor, Which runs
`the operating system. The computer module and support
`45 the operating system. The computer module and support
`module are interfaced using a multi-bit bus, such as a PCI
`module are interfaced using a multi-bit bus, such as a PCI
`bus.
`bus.
`The faceplate module is detachably connected to the
`The faceplate module is detachably connected to the
`support module. The faceplate module has a logic unit of its
`support module. The faceplate module has a logic unit of its
`50 own to control an RF transceiver such as a Cell phone, a
`oWn to control an RF transceiver such as a Cell phone, a
`two-way pager, or a point-to-point spread spectrum
`tWo-Way pager, or a point-to-point spread spectrum
`transceiver, a display, a keypad, and a CODEC. The face-
`transceiver, a display, a keypad, and a CODEC. The face
`plate and support modules are connected using a high speed
`plate and support modules are connected using a high speed
`serial connection. Data is exchanged betWeen the faceplate
`serial connection. Data is exchanged between the faceplate
`55 and support module as a synchronized serial bit stream
`and support module as a synchroniZed serial bit stream
`55
`Which is organiZed into multiple frames. Each frame has
`which is organized into multiple frames. Each frame has
`multiple data bits and at least one valid bit to indicate
`multiple data bits and at least one valid bit to indicate
`whether the data bits are valid.
`Whether the data bits are valid.
`According to one aspect of this invention, the support
`According to one aspect of this invention, the support
`module is con?gured to support multiple peripheral devices
`60 module is configured to support multiple peripheral devices
`60
`(including such components as CD-ROM, AM/FM tuner,
`(including such components as CD-ROM, AM/FM tuner,
`audio signal processor, navigation system, security sensors,
`audio signal processor, navigation system, security sensors,
`vehicle diagnostics interface (OBD interface), etc.) and to
`vehicle diagnostics interface (OBD interface), etc.) and to
`facilitate data communication between them. The support
`facilitate data communication betWeen them. The support
`65 module has a logic unit with an internal address/data bus
`module has a logic unit With an internal address/data bus
`65
`structure that is independent and separate from the internal
`structure that is independent and separate from the internal
`bus of the computer module. This logic unit’s bus functions
`bus of the computer module. This logic unit's bus functions
`
`40
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1008, Page 11
`
`(cid:9)
`

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`6,009,363
`6,009,363
`
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`3
`3
`as the peripheral communication pathway so that peripheral
`as the peripheral communication pathway so that peripheral
`devices can communicate with one another without inter-
`devices can communicate With one another Without inter
`vention from the computer module. For instance, all of the
`vention from the computer module. For instance, all of the
`audio sound generation, processing, and output can be
`audio sound generation, processing, and output can be
`handled through the support module While consuming mini
`handled through the support module while consuming mini- 5
`mal processing resources of the computer module.
`mal processing resources of the computer module.
`According to another aspect, a fast data memory is
`According to another aspect, a fast data memory is
`coupled to the internal address/data bus structure of the
`coupled to the internal address/data bus structure of the
`support module’s logic unit to temporarily hold data being
`support module's logic unit to temporarily hold data being
`communicated betWeen peripheral devices. The fast data
`communicated between peripheral devices. The fast data
`memory is partitioned into storage areas that correspond to
`memory is partitioned into storage areas that correspond to
`each of the peripheral devices. The logic unit has memory
`each of the peripheral devices. The logic unit has memory
`access circuits associated with each of the peripheral devices
`access circuits associated With each of the peripheral devices
`Which designate particular storage areas of the fast data
`which designate particular storage areas of the fast data
`memory to hold data received from, or to be sent to, the
`memory to hold data received from, or to be sent to, the
`associated peripheral device. The memory access circuits
`associated peripheral device. The memory access circuits
`and fast data memory form a fast communications buffer in
`and fast data memory form a fast communications buffer in
`which data being received from, or sent to, a peripheral
`Which data being received from, or sent to, a peripheral
`device is quickly exchanged through the memory.
`device is quickly exchanged through the memory.
`The data exchange speed is further improved through use
`The data exchange speed is further improved through use
`of a mapping overlay technique, in which memory access
`of a mapping overlay technique, in Which memory access
`circuits for tWo communicating peripheral devices have
`circuits for two communicating peripheral devices have
`pointers designating the same memory area. In this manner,
`pointers designating the same memory area. In this manner,
`while one memory access circuit is filling the storage area
`While one memory access circuit is ?lling the storage area
`with data from one peripheral device (e.g., an AM/FM tuner,
`With data from one peripheral device (e.g., an AM/F M tuner,
`CD-ROM, etc.), the other memory access circuit is reading
`CD-ROM, etc.), the other memory access circuit is reading
`data from the storage area to output to the other peripheral
`data from the storage area to output to the other peripheral
`device (e.g., an audio signal processor).
`device (e.g., an audio signal processor).
`
`4
`4
`external peripheral devices, including a monitor 24, security
`external peripheral devices, including a monitor 24, security
`sensors 26, a vehicle diagnostic interface 28, speakers 30, a
`sensors 26, a vehicle diagnostic interface 28, speakers 30, a
`vehicle battery 32, a backup battery 33, and antenna(s) 34.
`vehicle battery 32, a backup battery 33, and antenna(s) 34.
`The computer 22 is assembled in a housing 36 that is sized
`The computer 22 is assembled in a housing 36 that is siZed
`to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard, similar to a conven-
`to be mounted in a vehicle dashboard, similar to a conven
`tional automobile stereo. Preferably, the housing 36 has a
`tional automobile stereo. Preferably, the housing 36 has